Related Content

James Bongiorni, 68, of Burgettstown, surrendered for arraignment on a homicide charge and was taken to the Washington County Correctional Facility. He will be held without bail, pending a preliminary hearing.

Police have said that the victim, Brian Wilbert, 38, of Robinson Township, Allegheny County, went to Burgettstown to visit an ex-girlfriend. He was found lying in the street in front of a house on Hillcrest Avenue on the night of April 27 and died after being flown to a hospital.

Defense attorney Robert Del Greco described Bongiorni as "a pillar of the community" who has no previous criminal record.

"He's presented with a situation where an individual with an extensive criminal history, with a notorious reputation for crimes of violence, with a murder threat and a knife, presents himself to Mr. Bongiorni, and Mr. Bongiorni shot him one time in the stomach in self-defense, and that is exactly what happened," Del Greco said.

Bongiorni was called to the house by his daughter, and he had been "extremely worried" about her before the night of the shooting, according to Del Greco, who cited previous 911 calls and text messages.